U.S. Navy Seabees, Local Residents Build School Together

Photo By Cmdr. Theresa Carpenter | Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines servicemember Builder Constructionmen Michael Gramm frames a wall for a school construction project. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 are working with local contractors renovating two school buildings at the Lanao Agricultual College.  

LANAO DEL SUR, PHILIPPINES

11.07.2009

Story by Lt.j.g. Theresa Carpenter 

U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — With the help of local contractors and school officials, service members from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, assigned to Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, are in the final stages of building classrooms at the Lanao Agricultural College.

"It is a wonderful feeling we can assist the community and help build the school. It has been an honor to work with the local contractors and the school superintendent to make this project happen," said Construction Electrician 1st Class Michael Kelley from New Castle, PA, the project supervisor.

The JSOTF-P Seabees are working side by side with the community, as two local electrical engineers and two staff members are also working on the project. Additionally, the school donated building supplies.

Reconstruction began last June for the two building project, which includes the college's main 5800 square foot building and a 1000 square foot science building. The team is currently working on dividing the main building into six classrooms and constructing a separate bathroom facility.

The project also includes a complete septic system, electrical power distribution, lighting, fans and a generator.

"We are very happy our people are working together on this school with the U.S. forces. Our people will greatly benefit from this project," said Jasmine B. Asum, the head high school instructor.

Based out of Gulfport, Miss., the NMCB 1 Seabees arrived in Aug., relieving Naval Mobile Construction 40 to continue building the school.

Working 12 hour shifts, six days per week, crews are working non-stop to finish the project. Plans are in place to celebrate the opening of the buildings with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

"The crew here and local contractors working on this project have been absolutely phenomenal. They have such pride in their work and we constantly hear from the school officials what a great job they are doing," said a U.S. Army Special Forces officer in charge for the Marawi area."

• Date Taken: 11.07.2009
• Date Posted: 11.07.2009 04:40
• Story ID: 41232
• Location: LANAO DEL SUR, PH